Have you thought of a honda element, I'm not crazy about them, but Kate's mom recently got one (if I remember right) and she LOVES it. I understand they are great for dogs... and roomy.
You're right doggylover!
Lisa, I would only look at an Element if you drive (or are willing to drive) a standard. I test drove the automatic first, and really didn't like it. The Element is only a 4 cylinder (which gets good mileage for the size of the vehicle) but the auto just had no power to it, whereas the standard is zippy! Was night and day between the two of them...
The thing I love about it is it's high seating position, the good gas mileage it gets (so far anyhow - have only had it a week!), the safety within it (lots of airbags and EBD - Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), 4WD (but only when you need it, if you slip it kicks in, you can't turn it on automatically) and of course all the room! It is a very different looking vehicle, isn't for everyone. But, it's so unbeliveably roomy inside. It also has half back doors that open as 'suicide doors' (I know - awful name for them) but they are neat as it leaves lots of rooms for dogs to get in, plus for hauling stuff (ie. big screen tv would be really easy to get into it)...
It also has NO CARPET flooring, it's a poly-rubber like flooring that just needs to be wiped down - AWESOME! It has tonnes of headroom too, which doesn't really matter to me (ya - I'm a shorty) but Eric really loves it!
The biggest fault it has so far (which really isn't a big deal) is that the back windows only open like the back windows in a minivan or extended cab truck, not all the way. Kate can't stick her head out (but) it doesn't seem to bother her too much, especially seeing as the moon roof is in the back (instead of the front) like a regular sunroof!
The seats don't flip into the floor, they flip up into the rear windows, or come out completely. I wouldn't recommend flipping them into the windows as this creates a blind spot. With the back seats out, me, Eric and Kate can all sleep inside while camping - we're trying it out this weekend actually! We did lay in there to try it though, was quite comfy!
If the Element interests you, I'd definitely take it for a spin. A fully-loaded one runs you about the price of an entry-level model SUV, so it's a good bang for your buck. It's size is surprising because when you look at it, it doesn't look too big but inside - HOLY - it's cavernous!!! Plus, it's a Honda!
Here's a link to a review on it, with pics. It's from 2004 so they've bettered them a bit since then, more features now. Also, they got rid of those big grey plastic panels on them in 2006, so they are all body-colored like any other car (they look much better):
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/04element.htmGood luck, and let us know how the car shopping goes!